France were outstanding in their win to lift the World Cup for the second time, defeating Croatia in the final in Moscow by a comfortable margin. Les Bleus now have the challenge of emulating their great team of 1998 that carried forward their form to win Euro 2000.
Didier Deschamps has arguably the most talented team in Europe and it would be fitting that the captain that lifted both crowns as a player would achieve the double act once again by winning Euro 2020. France are the leading contenders in the international football betting odds to triumph in the tournament, although they will face competition from England and Belgium, who are also in the running for the crown.
Belgium are a team that should be ready to take a major crown. Their talent is comparable to France’s, and perhaps even better in the midfield. Kevin De Bruyne is having an excellent start to the season, although Roberto Martinez will be wary of his game time over the course of the campaign for Manchester City as they compete for honours on four fronts, having already picked up one niggle already.
The same can be said for their other star Eden Hazard, who will be utilised by Real Madrid in their bid to get back on top of LaLiga and the Champions League. Romelu Lukaku looks to be having a new lease of life at Inter Milan and his form will be crucial, although he has not been at the peak of his powers against elite competition. Those three players hold the key for Belgium as there is not a great deal of strength in depth.
Depth is where France hold the edge over Martinez’s men. Behind Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann there is Alexandre Lacazette, Anthony Martial, Thomas Lemar and Kingsley Coman. There are numbers in midfield when Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante are unavailable, while the defensive options in the middle of the line beginning with Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti are plentiful with Aymeric Laporte and Clement Lenglet ready waiting behind the starting duo.
England are an interesting side as they have the firepower to match France in the final third. Harry Kane is perhaps the most potent striker that will compete in the Euros, while Raheem Sterling has started to become a world-class operator in and around the box to ease the pressure on the Three Lions skipper. Marcus Rashford, Callum Hudson-Odoi Jadon Sancho are also present as options along with Callum Wilson, who has been a consistent performer in the Premier League.
Gareth Southgate’s midfield was a problem against Croatia in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat. Those issues could be still evident, although there have been some areas of improvement with the additions of Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Ross Barkley. Southgate’s main cause of concern will be his backline where even his starters have not locked down permanent positions in the side. John Stones and Harry Maguire have a mistake in them, while Michael Keane and Joe Gomez have not managed to make a significant claim to oust the duo from the starting spots.
France appear to have all their bases covered ahead of the tournament, and although there is still a little bit of work ahead of them to qualify, it would not be a surprise to see Les Bleus hoist another major crown next summer.
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